Pure laparoscopic management of a giant ovarian cyst in an adolescent

Patient: Female, 16 Final Diagnosis: Ovarian cyst Symptoms: — Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Laparoscopic surgery Specialty: Surgery OBJECTIVE: Rare disease BACKGROUND: The use of the laparoscopic approach versus open approach for the management of giant ovarian cysts is controversial. Exclusion of malignant conditions has critical importance in the laparoscopic management of these cases. However, in some cases, the possibility of malignancy and the ovarian origin of a cyst cannot be excluded during the preoperative period. CASE REPORT: Herein we present the case of a 16-year-old girl with a giant ovarian cyst. The abdominal cavity was laparoscopically explored, and no signs suggestive of malignancy were encountered; the ovarian origin of the cyst was confirmed. A Veress needle was inserted percutaneously, and the cyst was drained and laparoscopically excised. No complications were encountered at follow-up visits 3 and 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the well-known advantages of laparoscopic surgery (e.g., decreased postoperative pain, length of hospital stay, and wound infection), perfect cosmetic results are particularly important for young women. The pure laparoscopic management of giant ovarian cysts is safe and feasible.